Page 53 of Refuge for Ailsa

“Can you tell me where your house is?”

“Yes, sir. You know where the American Legion is out on thirty-three?” Magnus nodded. “That’s Spears Lane. It dead-ends at the Dix. Just before you get to St. Michael’s Crossing on the left, there’s a big copse of trees on the right. If you look closely, you’ll see my mailbox. There’s a cairn right beside it. The drive goes through the trees and comes out in a clearing. That’s where the house is.”

“Got a lot of work to do to make it livable?”

“I thought so, but Ailsa says no. She says it won’t take much for it to be in good enough shape to be lived in while it’s being fixed up.”

“Well, if anybody would know, it would be my girl. She’s good with that kind of thing. Guess she told you about all of that.”

“Yes, sir, she did. And may I say I’m sorry for your loss. She’s still grieving Mason, and I’m sure you are too.”

“He was a man among men. He would’ve given his life for anyone. Turns out he did. We taught him, all three kids, to be completely selfless. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t. Ailsa almost ruined her life with…” And he stopped.

“Eric?” Magnus nodded. “Yeah, she told me all about that. I know she beat herself up about it for a long time.” He leaned in, then looked over his shoulder before he spoke very softly. “Did you know she made them open Mason’s casket for her at the funeral home?”

Magnus’ face went pale and his jaw dropped. “No. I didn’t. She never told me. I’m guessing she didn’t tell Maeve either.”

“Well, she did. Had a fit until they finally let her see.”

“I’m guessing that’s probably what drove her into therapy,” her father said softly.

“I think so. Please don’t tell her I told you. Please?” Ailsa would be furious with him, and he wouldn’t blame her.

“Oh, no, I wouldn’t do that. I’m not going to tell Maeve either. Why did she do that? Wait. I know Ailsa. Sounds exactly like something she’d do. Ten feet tall and bulletproof. The strongest person in the room. I love my daughter, but sometimes she’s hard-headed.”

“I’ve seen a little bit of that so far. I have a feeling I’m going to see more,” Tavish mumbled.

“What are your intentions toward her?”

“Nothing but honorable, sir. We’re still in the getting-to-know-you stage, but I fully intend to make the relationship permanent in the not-too-distant future. That’s if I have your blessing, sir.”

Magnus nodded. “You do. I think my wife would say the same.”

“Thank you, sir. Like I said, it won’t be anytime soon. We need to be sure. But I’ve never met another woman like her. She’s amazing in pretty much every possible way.”

“I agree.” Magnus took another swig and set the bottle down again. “Maeve said something about that murder Ailsa witnessed. You involved in that investigation?”

“No, not really. That’s how I met her. I was first on the scene and?”

“How did that happen?”

“I was on duty, and several times a week I patrol the lake. Fishing licenses, drunks, things like that.” Magnus nodded. “I heard all the screaming and powered into the marina with my jon boat to find that. It was gruesome.”

“So I heard.”

“I called for assistance from BoyleCounty and a deputy showed up. He said the person at the marina store had called nine-one-one and he needed somebody to go talk to her. That’s how we met. But I never thought I’d see her again, and then, when my sister wanted me to come to my parents’ house for dinner to meet Donovan, I had no idea she was his sister. There she was. We’ve been together pretty much every moment we can since.”

“You sleeping over on the houseboat?”

No point in lying. Besides, we’re both plenty old enough, Tavish told himself. “Yes, sir. Sometimes. She’s come to my apartment once. But honestly, if I woke up without her in my arms, the world would be a dark place. She’s my sunshine.”

Magnus dropped his head and smiled, then lifted it and looked directly into Tavish’s eyes. “That’s exactly how I feel about my Maeve. I saw her at that market, and I had to come back the next week. I just couldn’t get her out of my mind.”

“Exactly. That’s exactly how I felt.”

“Yeah, it’s those eyes. They trap you and you can’t get away,” Magnus said with a chuckle.

“I know, right? I couldn’t get them out of my mind. That and, lord, that hair. It’s like a crown.”

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